[Michlib-l] Discomfort with Wednesday post about "neutrality"

[Jennifer Noble]

Hello all,

I don't feel qualified to touch on the Hillsdale article cited, nor really
to open up a discussion about racism in general, as a white woman. I would
like to respectfully push back on the point raised about community
demographics, though. While I agree that we should make sure all patrons
can see themselves represented in our materials, and I myself have fallen
back on buying "less diverse" titles that I think my community will
appreciate more when my budget is tight, I don't think demographics should
be a priority consideration when doing collection development. We can all
read/watch/listen to and enjoy books and movies about people who differ
from ourselves; in fact, I'd say that's frequently the point of fiction,
and not uncommon in nonfiction. We don't have to force our patrons to read
about topics they have no interest in, but we shouldn't inhibit their
imaginations for the sake of hewing strictly to reported demographics,
either.

There will always be loud patrons who disagree with something we're doing,
rightly or wrongly. But there will also always be patrons who silently
appreciate that we got that title by a person of color or LGBTQ person or
religious person that they were too afraid to request under their own name
in case we judged them. Let's not forget the latter group as we shape our
collections, programs, and policies. After all, they pay taxes, too.

Sincerely,
Jen Noble
Adult & Teen Services Librarian

On Wed, Apr 21, 2021, 6:03 PM Karyn Ruley via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
wrote:

>   Hello to everyone who responded to my post to Kim True. I had sent two
> more
> responses that did not get posted, I believe due to an email/subscription
> mixup. They are below. I continue to get emailed, off-list thank yous and
> encouragement for what I said, and I appreciate them immensely but REALLY
> wish someone would post to the listserv so it does not appear I am the only
> one in the library world with these thoughts. The only time a difference is
> ever made is when people are vocal and unafraid.
>
>   I'd also like to say that just because training exists promoting the
> topics
> we've been discussing, it doesn't prove they are correct or that they
> should
> exist at all.
>
>   We've seen a couple sources posted to support the topics. I am posting
> one
> that does not. It perfectly illustrates that there ARE two sides involved.
> We are not to be promoting this with other people's tax dollars. Nor would
> I
> be posting anything on a library social media page arguing against it.
> Offer
> books, documentaries, etc. from both perspectives for your patrons to
> decide
> for themselves. And continue to not discriminate when it comes to who has
> access.
>
> https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/critical-race-theory-fight/
>
> Thank you, THIS will be the last of my comments on this specific post.
>
> Karyn Ruley
> Technology Associate
>
> Crawford County Library
>
> (1st response)
> Hello -
>
>   First, I would like to thank everyone for their kind and civil
> responses. I
> know this is a delicate subject. That being said, I actually did receive
> several responses to my post - all of them positive, all of them private.
> Many
> unfortunately fear speaking out about this topic when they have a certain
> view. I wish more would find the courage.
>
>   I'd like to clarify my use of the word neutral. As libraries, we are
> funded
> with taxpayer dollars and are therefore not to take public stances on
> political issues. This IS a political issue with opposing sides and
> statistics, some believing that white privilege is not a true concept, that
> our country is not systemically racist, that "decolonizing" our
> collections is
> wrong, etc. Posting about diversity and inclusivity (linked topics) DOES
> upset
> a good portion of the patronage whether you agree with the subject and feel
> it's your mission or not. We have to be mindful that we serve our
> individual
> communities and not our own causes with our library positions and other
> citizens' tax dollars.
>
>   As long as we are following the ALA guidelines and asking ourselves the
> questions I mentioned, as well as creating collections that fit our
> communities and not our own ideals, we are on the right track. It is not
> our
> place to tell our patrons what to think or how to behave on the world
> scale,
> it is our job to provide them with materials that fit their needs and
> interests to let them make up their own minds.
>
>
> Karyn Ruley
> Technology Associate
>
> Crawford County Library
>
> (2nd response)
> Hello, again -
>
>   I feel I need to clarify a couple more things and then I am no longer
> commenting on this particular post as I don’t believe this is the place for
> continuous debate. I will remain a voice on the subject and any other if I
> feel I need to be, and hope the fear of cancellation doesn’t keep others
> quiet.
>
>   I want to say I didn’t assume everyone’s patron demographics are majority
> white. I was originally speaking directly to the OP and took a look at her
> area. The stats I saw showed the population to be 94% white. I don’t live
> there, that may not be the most accurate number, but it gave me an idea
> before I made any assumptions.
>
>   The ALA Code of Ethics may not use the words “be neutral” but it does use
> the word unbiased and states that we should “distinguish between our
> personal convictions and professional duties and not allow our personal
> beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our
> institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.”
>
>   This type of neutrality is not the neutrality Elie Wiesel spoke of. Our
> service is to be fair and impartial and I’m sure the majority of the
> libraries on this listserv would already consider their service as such.
> But
> we are not to go looking for problems. If a group feels underrepresented or
> underserved, they do have some responsibility in bringing it to our
> attention and they are welcome to make suggestions. Removing certain items
> from your collection and adding others to represent “everyone” might just
> create a collection your community didn’t really want or ask for.
>
>   Please remember people are not defined by their skin color or ethnic
> backgrounds or sexual orientation. Our experiences may be different or the
> same for many reasons. Sometimes, there just isn’t a problem. When we
> insist
> on highlighting what we believe to be underrepresented groups are we
> diversifying or dividing? Maybe the group identity you gave them wasn’t a
> big part of their identity to begin with.
>
>   The first question shouldn’t be “How can we welcome a wider swath of the
> population?” it should be “How can we better serve OUR community?”
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Karyn Ruley
> Technology Associate
>
> Crawford County Library
> 201 Plum St.
> Grayling, MI
> 49738
> Phone: 989-348-9214
> Fax: 989-348-9294
> ----------------------------------
>
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> Michlib-l at mcls.org
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>
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